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MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF DRONFIELD TOWN COUNCIL
HELD AT GOSFORTH LODGE, CLIFFE PARK, DRONFIELD
ON MONDAY 4th JUNE 2007 AT 7.30 pm
Present
Councillors: W I Pryce (Town Mayor) : Simon Temple : Mrs W Temple : R Bull : A Memmott : M Wing : G Gregory : J M Stocks : Mrs C Smith : P H Blackburn : J D McGrory : D K Gage : Mrs B Skelton : Mrs K Marr : M Emmens
Public Forum on Planning Matters
No items raised.
Model Code of Conduct
Members were reminded that any changes to their Declaration of Interests should be declared. Members were also advised to declare, at this point, any items of the agenda where they may consider themselves to have a particular or prejudicial interest in the matter to be conducted
7/07-08
RESOLVED That the information be received and noted.
Apologies
8/07-08
RESOLVED
That apologies for absence be received and accepted from the following Members for the reasons stated in brackets.
Councillor J Sorrill – Other Business
Councillor F Higgins – Other Business
Councillor G Baxter – Other Business
Youth
Matters
No items raised
Police
Matters
PC Murfin attended for this item and circulated the latest crime statistics for the town (attached).
The most significant change was the reduction in thefts of motor vehicles.
Members requested that a 6 monthly rolling average of each crime be shown which would allow trends to be considered.
The problem of under-age drinking and the anti social behaviour of groups of young people was discussed and PC Murfin stated that initiatives have regularly been undertaken to deter such incidents. Local shops and off-licences have been warned not to sell alcohol to under 18’s.
ASBO’s (Anti Social Behaviour Orders) have been taken out against two local young people and this is one way of combating these types of crimes.
Dispersal orders can be used by the police but have not been used in Dronfield to date.
Problems were reported by members of gangs of youths drinking and acting in an anti social manner on the fields behind Fletcher Avenue. It was reported that Sgt Oliver has ordered extra patrols to visit known problem areas and deal with offenders.
9/07-08
RESOLVED That the information be received and noted.
Council
Minutes
Members considered the minutes of the ordinary meeting of Dronfield Town Council held on 30th April 2007 and the Annual Meeting of Dronfield Town Council held on 14th May 2007.
April 30th - was agreed that Councillor Sorrill was not present (as shown) but that Councillor Clive Gill was present and not reported as such.
10/07-08
RESOLVED
That with the foregoing amendments to members present, then the minutes of the meeting of Dronfield Town Council held on 30th April 2007 be approved and accepted as a true record of events and that the Town Mayor be duly authorised to sign them as such.
14th May 2007 – It was agreed that the date be amended from 2006 to 2007 in the heading.
11/07-08 RESOLVED
1. That the minutes of the Annual Meeting of Dronfield Town Council held on 14th May 2007 be accepted and approved as a true record of events and that the Town Mayor be duly authorised to sign them as such.
12/07-08 RESOLVED
2. That all past members of the Council 2003 – 2007 be thanked for their dedication and commitment over the past four years and that they be presented with a certificate acknowledging the Council’s appreciation.
Planning
Matters
Members considered a schedule of planning applications submitted by North East Derbyshire District Council for comment.
Application 07/00435/FL: Units 5A-D Callywhite Lane
Change of use to parentally supervised children’s/family entertainment centre in Unit’s 5C and 5D.
13/07-08 RESOLVED
That North East Derbyshire District Council be requested to provide further details of this application because members had serious concerns about whether the proposed changes of use would be appropriate in an industrial estate and that there may well be access problems and hazardous traffic movements.
Application 07/00534/FL: 6 High Street
Variation of condition 2 of NED06/01140/FL to allow opening times from 8.00am to 12 midnight Monday to Sunday (including Bank holidays)
14/07-08
RESOLVED
That North East Derbyshire District Council be requested to provide further details concerning this proposed variation of opening hours (from 8.00am to 12 midnight on Mondays to Sundays) as this did not seem appropriate for the sale of teas, coffees and light refreshments. It was noted by members that this location does not have a licence to serve alcohol at present but this application may result in such a request in the future.
Application 07/00135/FL: The Pines Marsh Avenue
Conversion of existing garage/additional accommodation to form a separate dwelling.
15/07-08 RESOLVED
That North East Derbyshire District Council be requested to convene a site visit to this location prior to a decision being reached.
Members objected to the access to the site being maintained which may lead to hazardous traffic movement’s just yards from the entrance to a local primary school.
Application 07/00316/FL: 30 Northern Common
Demolition of existing bungalow and construction of 4 dwellings (one 2 storey and three 2 storey with rooms in the roof space) (Adjacent to the Conservation Area) (Amended Plans)
16/07-08
RESOLVED
That this application be strenuously objected to on the following grounds.
(1) The site is adjacent to both local conservation area and green belt and would be over -development in such an area.
(2) That the proposals would lead to serious loss of amenity to adjacent properties.
(3) That proposals would exacerbate traffic problems on this narrow road and access and egress from the site would be hazardous.
Consents and Refusals
Members considered a schedule of planning decisions submitted by North East
Derbyshire for information.
17/07-08 RESOLVED That the information be received and noted
Town Clerks Report
1.
Outside Services
Members considered a progress report on various tasks and duties being carried out by outside services staff. Members received a brief update on the insurance claim following a break-in at the Council depot.
Members were informed that hanging baskets and planters would be installed that week and then regularly fed and watered until the first week in October.
It was reported that part of the wall surrounding Hilltop Common had been damaged by an unknown vehicle and that repairs/rebuilding would take place shortly.
Members were appraised that the Waterways Project had now re-started and that the Wild life pond was being excavated and prepared. Dronfield Town Council staff had placed seats, litter bins and dog control bins at the site and would install the new notice board and safety signs at the BMX track when more work had been completed.
18/07-08 RESOLVED That the information be received and noted
2.
Civic Hall -
Decorating
Members considered a short report explaining that under the terms of the lease, internal decoration of the Civic Hall was now due.
19/07-08 RESOLVED
(1) That this report be received and noted.
(2) That a small Working Group comprising Councillor’s Mrs Wendy Temple, Mrs Christine Smith and Mrs Kathy Marr be convened to discuss colour schemes and report back to a full meeting of the Council.
3.
Playground – Repairs
and Renewals
Members considered a report detailing that last year, £15,000 was spent on repairing and renewing sections of the play-areas at all locations.
Many of the children’s swing sets had now been removed due to safety legislation and the swings were old and past their useful repair status.
Members were informed of the costs of acquiring and installing new swing sets at the play-areas and were advised that a two swing set would cost in the region of £800.00, whilst a four swing set would be around £1,800.00 for supply only.
Members were advised of this year’s budgetary provision for such items.
20/07-08 RESOLVED
That the Properties Working Group convenes a site visit to all playgrounds
to ascertain what is required at each site and report back to Council with
more detailed cost estimates.
4.
Sports Centre Closure
Members were informed that Dronfield Sports Centre would be closed for refurbishments and renovation in September 2007 and would be closed for almost 12 months. North East Derbyshire District Council have intimated that some courses and events could be staged in the Civic Hall and Gosforth Lodge in order to maintain local availability.
Times and durations were appraised by members who were informed of the Council’s current rates of hire for both locations.
21/07-08 RESOLVED
1. That this report be received and noted.
2. That a 25% discount on the community rate applicable to these long-term bookings which result in a total charge of £183.00 per week plus VAT being made for the use of the Civic Hall on Mondays and Fridays from 9.00am – 6.00pm and for Gosforth Lodge on Sundays 9.00am – 12 noon and Thursdays from 4.00pm –9.00pm.
5.
Derbyshire
Association of Local Councils
1. (a) Members were provided with the minutes of Derbyshire Association of Local Councils Executive Committee Meeting held on 3rd March 2007.
1. (b) Derbyshire Association of Local Councils also sent out nomination papers for members to consider if they wished to nominate a candidate from Dronfield to sit on the Standards Committee at North East Derbyshire District Council. It was stressed that any nomination should be a Town Councillor who is not a member of North East Derbyshire District Council.
22/07-08 RESOLVED That this report be received and noted.
2. That the matter of nomination to the Standard Committee be deferred until the next meeting.
6.
Annual Report of
Dronfield Town Council (2006 /2007
Members had been issued with the draft annual report at the meeting held on 14th May 2007.
The report contained all the necessary items required by legislation.
· Contact details of every elected member
· Summary of expenditure for 2006/2007
· An over view of Council activities 2006/2007
The report should be made widely available and sent to every household in the town.
23/07-08 RESOLVED
That the Annual Report of Dronfield Town Council 2006 – 2007 be produced as a 4 page pull-out supplement in the July issue of Dronfield Eye and that extra copies of the 4 page supplement be acquired for posting on the Council’s notice boards.
7. Publications
Members considered a list of publications that were available for perusal at the Council offices.
8. Reports from Dronfield Town Council Representatives
No items were raised by members.
9. Working Groups of Dronfield Town Council
(a) Members considered a report of the Civic Service Working Group held on 22nd May 2007 setting out details of the Civic Service to be held on 24th June 2007.
24/07-08 RESOLVED That this report be received and noted.
(b) Dronfield
Town Council Working Groups
Members considered the format and membership of several working groups of the council.
These working groups were:
· Properties Working Group
· Road Safety Working Group
· Best Value Working Group
· Budget Working Group
· Section 137 Awards Panel
· Town Twinning Working Group
Members were also advised that it may be appropriate to review the Council’s Standing Orders and Financial Regulations and that a working group may wish to consider these matters and refer them to full Council for consideration.
25/07-08 RESOLVED
1. That the Properties Working Group be retained which should meet at a definite time and day each month with the following membership.
Councillor’s Mrs W Temple, F Higgins, G Gregory, M Emmens, J McGrory and G Baxter.
2. That the Road Safety Working Group be retained to meet at a definite time and day of each selected period (monthly, 2 monthly, quarterly, etc). The membership to consist of Councillor D Oxspring, P Blackburn, Mrs C Smith, both County Councillors ( I Pryce and Mrs J Hill) together with any local resident who the Working Group may wish to co-opt.
3. Best Value Working Group
26/07-08
RESOLVED
That the Best Value Working Group be retained to meet at specific days and times agreed by the Working Group.
Membership to consist of Councillor’s I Pryce, R Bull, A Memmott, G Baxter and M Emmens.
4.
Budget Working Group
27/07-08
RESOLVED
That the Budget Working Group be retained to meet at specific days and times as agreed by the Working Group.
Membership to consist of Councillor’s I Pryce, S Temple, G Baxter and M Emmens.
5.
Section 137 Awards
Panel
28/07-08
RESOLVED
That the Section 137 Awards Panel be retained to meet at specific days and times agreed by that panel.
Membership: Councillor J Sorrill, Mrs K Marr and Mrs C Smith.
6. Town Twinning Group Working Group
29/07-08
RESOLVED
That the Town Twinning Working Group be re-formed following the resolution of the Annual Meeting of the Council held on 14th May 2007 and that the membership consist of Councillors R Bull, F Higgins, D Gage and G Baxter.
7. Standing Orders Working Group
30/07-08
RESOLVED
That a Working Group to consider a review of Standing Orders and Financial Regulation be formed with a membership of Councillors Mrs C Smith, J McGrory, A Memmott and S Temple.
10.
The
Thomas Taylor and Relief in Need Charities
Members considered a report on the membership and duration of memberships of the above two local charities.
31/07-08
RESOLVED
(a) That Councillors J Stocks, Mrs W Temple, G Gregory, Mrs K Marr, Mrs B Skelton and G Baxter be elected to serve on the Thomas Taylor Charity for the duration of the Council (2007 – 2011).
(b) That Councillors A Memmott, D Oxspring, J McGrory and Mrs C Smith be elected to serve on the Dronfield Relief in Need Charity for the duration of the Council (2007 – 2011).
11. Schedule of Payments
Members considered a schedule of payments for the month of April 2007 in the amount of £91,280.25.
32/07-08 RESOLVED
That the schedule of payments for the month of April 2007 in the amount of £91,280.25 drawn on the Council’s No 1 account be received, accepted and approved.
12. Schedule of Receipts
Members considered a schedule of receipts for the month of April 2007 in the amount of £30,557.90.
33/07-08 RESOLVED
That the schedule of receipts for the month of April 2007 in the amount of £30,557.90 be paid into the Council’s No 2 account be received, accepted and approved.
13. Public Forum
Mr Mark Cook addressed the council regarding the concept of “Fair Trade”. He reported that more than 200 towns and cities had embraced the principle and had been awarded “ Fair Trade” Status.
Mrs Malone joined in the discussion and offered members some advice of the requirements for the Town Council to consider, which included
· A resolution of the Council
· A commitment to serve only Fair Trade tea and coffee
· Advocate the range of Fair Trade products available
· Have 5 Fair Trade outlets
· Have 3 local cafes serving Fair Trade Goods
Members agreed to consider this matter and asked for a full report to be included on the agenda of the next meeting to be held on 2nd July 2007.
Clive Gill commented upon the state of the play-area at Hilltop and asked about the Council’s safety examinations. He was informed that all play areas are inspected by Dronfield Town Council staff on a weekly basis with North East Derbyshire District Council carrying out a full safety inspection at least monthly.
He commented upon the planning applications for The Pines at Marsh Avenue and offered the opinion that a third house at this site could be debateable due to restricted access.
Mr John Jackson expressed his concerns about the future of the town with particular regards to the environment and the effects of greenhouse gases.
He gave several examples of what could be done to help and several examples of what should not be allowed.
He produced a short report, which the Town Clerk will circulate to all members.
Fletcher Avenue – Anti Social
Behaviour
It was reported that several incidents of anti social behaviour were occurring on the fields to the rear of Fletcher Avenue with vandalism, under-age drinking and fighting taking place on a regular basis.
The police had been notified and had attended but the offenders had disappeared prior to their attendance.
Members responded that.
It would not be feasible to close off the area with fencing as this was a widely used right of way and that whist most the problems were matters for the police; parents and society as a whole, have major responsibilities for their children’s behaviour.
There being no further business, the Town Mayor closed the meeting at 21.25 hrs.
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